Take a look at how people enter and leave your site.

• Is access restricted to important areas?
• Can your video cameras provide coverage in detail?
• How do your customers interact with high-valued merchandise?
• Where is this merchandised store?
• Do you have specific opening and closing procedures?
• Is your alarm working and connected to the proper security channels?

Consider physical security where appropriate for exposed products. Intrinsic barriers to security are ideal to deter and prevent theft.

Your first line of defense is your fence (if applicable) followed by cameras, alarms, and access control equipment.

Your last barrier should be physical security equipment such as safes and/or vaults which can prevent the criminal from getting your product, or delay the criminal and give enough time for police to arrive.

Laws are constantly changing. Staying in compliance is an ongoing task.

Make sure that you are current on local, state and federal laws, as changes can happen without notice.

​All of these services can apply to any business. To determine where to start, focus on your business goals. These questions can also help guide you in the right direction.

• What does the future of your business look like?
• What aspects of your business can be improved?
• Are you currently suffering any losses that can't be explained?
• Do you currently have policies and procedures in place?
• Are your employees aware of these policies & procedures?

Begin by taking a look at your business in the present stage and how you would like to see it in 5 years.

It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish and your budget.

A security floor plan design can help you identify where security equipment should be placed or help you re-arrange your site layout.

You can save time working with your general contractor as they will have a better understanding of where the equipment is to be installed.

Make sure that your vehicle has a secured cargo area that utilizes safes, video cameras, GPS, and/or other security features. ​VET YOUR VENDORS!

References are key.

Look for name recognition, partners, website reviews, and reputation in the industry.

You can also pay to have a third party vet their company.

No.

Cannabis applications often have base documents that need to be submitted to get an approved license. For instance, along with a business plan or community engagement plan, a security plan is often a mandatory document.

Cannabis is a high-risk product and a new industry with a troubled history. State and local officials are going to question how a business is going to keep its inventory, currency, and employees safe during operating and non-operating hours.

State regulations (and local, if applicable) have minimum requirements regarding video surveillance, resolution, and its retention span. Sapphire ensures that all clients meet these requirements and how to best integrate your video monitoring system with the rest of your security network/plan.  

However, security is more than just cameras. As previously stated, security encompasses a whole network that, at minimum, includes access control, inventory storage, and emergency protocols.

Sapphire has over 100 years of combined experience protecting businesses from both internal and external threats. Sapphire takes a proactive approach towards risks that focuses on preventing the crime before it occurs, overall helping the business’ ROI. 

Yes, if provided a preliminary drawing and matching scale.

The floor plan would only apply to the application submission and is completely different from the build-out (Sapphire’s Phase 2) floor plan.

Application Floor Plans are often developed with rudimentary information and with the intent to demonstrate the operating principles of the business.

Build Out Floor Plans require architectural drawings with vital information like ceiling height, lighting, HVAC units, shelving, etc. to ensure a smooth installation. 

A Request for Proposal standardizes multiple bids from integrators for easy review. 

• Details best practices, industry standards, and exclusions for security installations and devices (i.e., door hardware, conduit, wiring, etc.).
• Details electronic security systems such as a video surveillance system, access control system, and intrusion alarm system.
• Customized to each client’s needs, operations, budget, and customer support. 

After three bids, Sapphire reviews them. Sapphire will then: 

• Identify costs for each system, warranties on equipment and labor, quality of equipment, length of contract, monthly/annual fees, etc.
  
• Communicate with our recommended integrators on where the client can reduce costs.
  

Sapphire’s integrators have been fully vetted and have experience in the cannabis industry. 

The application floor plan is a generalization submitted to the regulatory body that a robust security system will be installed. 

The buildout design will be the true design needed to be implemented. This will reflect the detailed architectural drawings that are not finalized until after the application process. 

In the design stage, prior to your architect fully completing the architectural drawings, Sapphire can help identify: 

• Security issues, 
• Ways to reduce costs, and
• Regulatory concerns.

Sapphire performs a vetting process for each integrator to ensure that the client will gain a knowledgeable, experienced partner who is responsible for the installation, monitoring, and ongoing service of all security systems.

During this process, Sapphire will request integrators to provide:  

• Cannabis professional references,  
• Equipment that will be proposed,  
• Contractual agreements,
• Financial options,  
• Warranties, and  
• Ongoing service package.

Sapphire will attend construction calls to assist with security issues. Sapphire will: 

• Address security-related questions, 
• Provide recommendations regarding security concerns, and
  
• Recommend ways that will save money.

Sapphire’s goal is to help its clients save money while remaining compliant and safe. Sapphire can: 

• Reduce costs by identifying what’s required vs. what’s recommended.
  

• Implements best practices and compliance based on City/State regulations.
  

Sapphire does not make money off of how many devices are used (unlike an integrator who does).

We recommend an annual inspection of your facility.

The world's best procedures cannot protect your store if your employees are not properly executing them.

In a high-risk industry, you are always a potential target for crime.

Risk assessments evaluate any potential risk or threat to your property or employees, including crime. The data from an assessment is then used to mitigate or eliminate the identified areas of risk.

It is usually far cheaper to conduct a risk assessment rather than perform repairs after a loss event caused by crime.

Investing in your employees and showing they matter has significant, quantifiable results in the people who work for you.

It can lower your company’s injury and illness costs, reduce absenteeism and turnover, increase productivity, increase the quality of their work, and even raise employee morale.

The purpose of repetitive safety and security training is to create a “mental muscle memory” of what to do when an emergency occurs.

It is hard to determine how an individual will react when faced with a stressful situation, and repetitive training can help ensure an employee responds appropriately to an event that could have severe ramifications.

Ongoing employee training helps cultivate talent within your organization.

Employees who feel invested in and empowered by their employers statistically have higher degrees of productivity and retention than companies with little or no training programs.

The SOPs submitted with your license application are usually brief outlines of the policies that will be implemented in your location.

Employees will need a detailed, step-by-step process for the procedures completed every day within your facility.

As long as you include an SOP for items listed in your application, you are free to include additional processes to ensure employee and customer safety.

Security Magazine stated that 80% - 90% of all the losses in the cannabis industry today is caused by internal theft from employees.

We recommend ALL cannabis businesses have a Culture of Honesty program.

Culture of Honesty is a Sapphire Risk program that is designed to prevent internal theft in your business.

It is a layered proactive approach that includes multiple facets to ensure that all employees act with the highest level of integrity within your organization.

Internal theft is one of the biggest problems impacting profit within the cannabis business today. Having a dedicated system of preventing and reporting internal theft helps protect your profit margins, employees, and brand.